Progressive static flexion device for phalanges

Abstract

A device for progressively applying a flexion force to a phalange includes a fraction-force producing portion for applying long-axis traction to the finger and a flexion-force producing portion, that is infinitely adjustable within a wide range of lengths, for applying a flexion force directly to the proximal phalanx generally perpendicular the long-axis of the bone. The flexion force is adjustable independently of the traction force. Embodiments are disclosed for providing progressive flexion to one finger, two adjacent fingers, or the thumb.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows. 
     
       1. A passive flexion system for applying passive flexion to multiple phalanges of the same hand, said system comprising: a plurality of devices operative independently of each other to apply traction and flexion forces to a plurality of phalanges, each one of said devices including traction means for applying long-axis traction to the respective phalange;   flexion means for applying flexion force to the respective phalange;   said flexion means adapted to apply said flexion force directly to the respective proximal phalanx and generally perpendicular to said longaxis traction whereby the flexion force may be controlled independent of the traction force, said system further including a palmar base, said plurality of devices being attached to said base, said base is adapted for connection to the hand adjacent the palm.     
     
     
       2. A passive flexion system for applying passive flexion to multiple phalanges of the same hand, said system comprising: a plurality of devices operative independently of each other to apply traction and flexion forces to a plurality of phalanges, each one of said devices including traction means for applying long-axis traction to the respective phalange;   flexion means for applying flexion force to the respective phalange;   said flexion means adapted to apply said flexion force directly to the respective proximal phalanx whereby the flexion force may be controlled independent of the traction force; said system further including a base, said plurality of devices being attached to said base, said base being adapted for connection to the hand adjacent the palm, and     each said flexion means including a rod positioned substantially parallel the palm, said rod having a first and attached to a support member associated with the respective one of said devices and extending from said base, said rod having an opposite end having attachment means for attachment of said rod to the proximal phalanx.   
     
     
       3. The system in claim 2 in which said attachment means includes a hook on said opposite end and a splint around the phalange and having a loop engaged by said hook. 
     
     
       4. The system in claim 2 in which said rod includes adjusting means for manually varying the distance between said ends, whereby said flexion means is capable of flexing the proximal phalange to various selectable positions. 
     
     
       5. The system in claim 4 in which said adjusting means is infinitely adjustable within predefined limits. 
     
     
       6. The system in claim 1 in which each said traction means includes an elongated member pivotally attached at one end to said base. 
     
     
       7. The system in claim 6 in which said elongated member includes a shaft having a pulley positioned at an end opposite said one end and in which said traction means further includes a line extending over said pulley and tensioning means for attaching one end of said line selectively to a position along said shaft. 
     
     
       8. A passive flexion device for a finger of a hand comprising: a base configured to substantially conform to the palm of the hand;   traction means extending from said base for applying traction along the long-axis of the finger;   flexion means extending from said base for applying a force substantially perpendicular to the long-axis of the finger and generally parallel to the palm and base; and   said flexion means operative independent of said traction means, whereby the flexion of the finger may be established solely by said flexion means, said flexion means further including adjustment means for manually adjusting the flexion of the finger and wherein said adjustment means is continuously adjustable.   
     
     
       9. A passive flexion device for a finger of a hand comprising: a base configured to substantially conform to the palm of the hand;   traction means extending from said base for applying traction along the long-axis of the finger;   flexion means extending from said base for applying a force substantially perpendicular to the long-axis of the finger;   said flexion means operative independent of said traction means, whereby the flexion of the finger may be established solely by said flexion means; and   adjustment means associated with said flexion means for manually adjusting the flexion of the finger, said adjustment means being continuously adjustable, and wherein   said adjustment means includes a support member and a rod assembly extending between said support member and the finger, said rod having an adjustable length.   
     
     
       10. A passive flexion device for a finger comprising: traction means for applying traction along the long-axis of the finger;   flexion means for applying a force substantially perpendicular to the long-axis of the finger;   adjustment means associated with said flexion means for adjusting the flexion of the finger, said adjustment means being continuously adjustable and including a support member and a rod assembly extending between said support member and the finger, said rod having an adjustable length and including a first sleeve member attached to said support member and a second sleeve member telescopingly threadably joined with said first sleeve member, whereby rotation of said first sleeve member will cause said members to telescope;   said flexion means operative independent of said traction means, whereby the flexion of the finger may be established solely by said flexion means.   
     
     
       11. The device in claim 10 in which said rod assembly further includes a third sleeve member telescopingly threadably joined with said second sleeve member, whereby rotation of said first sleeve will cause said second and third sleeve members to telescope when said first and second sleeve members are fully telescoped and rotating together. 
     
     
       12. The device in claim 11 in which said rod assembly further includes a fourth sleeve member telescopingly threadably joined with said third sleeve member and including a hook portion on an end opposite the portion joined with said third sleeve member, whereby rotation of said first sleeve will cause said third and fourth sleeve members to telescope when said second and third sleeve members are fully telescoped and rotating together. 
     
     
       13. The device in claim 9 in which said support member extends substantially perpendicularly from said base member and said rod assembly extends substantially perpendicularly from said support member. 
     
     
       14. A passive flexion device for a finger comprising: traction means for applying traction along the long-axis of the finger:   flexion means for applying a force substantially perpendicular to the long-axis of the finger;   adjustment means associated with said flexion means for adjusting the flexion of the finger, said adjustment means being continuously adjustable and including a support member and a rod assembly extending between said support member and the finger, said rod having an adjustable length, said flexion means including a base member adapted for attachment adjacent the palm of the hand, said support member extending substantially perpendicularly from said base member, said support member including means defining a plurality of openings spaced various distances from said base member, said rod including means for selectively en gaging one of said openings;   said flexion means operative independent of said traction means, whereby the flexion of the finger may be established solely by said flexion means.   
     
     
       15. The device in claim 8 including pivot means for pivotally attaching said traction means to said base. 
     
     
       16. The device in claim 15 in which said traction means includes an elongated shaft extending from said base, and pulling means associated with an end of said shaft opposite said pivot means for applying a force parallel said shaft and away from said base. 
     
     
       17. The device in claim 16 in which said pulling means includes a pulley on said end of said shaft, a line extending over said pulley and tensioning means for attaching one end of said line selectively to a position along said shaft. 
     
     
       18. The device in claim 13 in which said line includes a tension spring portion. 
     
     
       19. A passive flexion device adapted to be attached adjacent the palm of a hand by a strap extending around the hand for applying passive flexion to a finger on the hand, said device comprising: a base configured to substantially conform to the palm of the hand, said base including means defining a lateral passage through said base configured to receive a strap through said passage;   a support member extending generally perpendicular from said base and attached thereto attaching means, said support member defining a plurality of openings spaced various distances from said base; and   a rod assembly having a first end attached to said support member at one of said openings and a second end adapted for attachment to the proximal phalanx;   said rod extending from said support member generally parallel to said base and in a manner to produce a flexion force on the proximal phalange perpendicular the long-axis thereof;   said rod assembly continuously manually adjustable in length, whereby a continuously adjustable static flexion force may be applied to the phalange/metacarpal joint.   
     
     
       20. The device in claim 19 in which said base includes a bottom plate conforming to the palm of the hand and a second upper plate spaced from said first plate, said passage being defined between said plates. 
     
     
       21. A passive flexion device adapted to be attached to the palm of a hand by a strap extending around the hand for applying passive flexion to a finger on the hand, said device comprising: a base configured to substantially conform to the palm of the hand, said base including means defining a lateral passage through said base configured to receive a strap through said passage, said base including a bottom plate conforming to the palm of the hand and a second upper plate spaced from said first plate, said passage being defined between said plates, said second plate includes edge means defining an elongated opening therein;   a support member extending from said base and attached thereto by attaching means, said attaching means being adjustable in said elongated opening to provide adjustment between said support member and said base;   a rod assembly having a first end attached to said support member and a second end adapted for attachment to the proximal phalanx;   said rod extending from said support member in a manner to produce a flexion force on the proximal phalange perpendicular the long-axis thereof;   said rod assembly continuously adjustable in length, whereby a continuously adjustable static flexion force may be applied to the phalange/metacarpal joint.   
     
     
       22. The device in claim 21 in which said support means includes edge means defining a plurality of openings therein, said openings spaced various distances from said base and said first end of said rod assembly rotatably attached to said support member by a portion of said rod extending through one of said openings in said support member. 
     
     
       23. A passive flexion device for a finger comprising: a base adapted for attachment to the hand adjacent the palm;   a support member extending from said base and attached thereto by attaching means;   a rod assembly having a first end attached to said support member and a second end adapted for attachment to the proximal phalanx;   said rod extending from said support member in an manner to produce a flexion force on the proximal phalange perpendicular the long-axis thereof;   said rod assembly continuously adjustable in length, said rod assembly including a first sleeve member attached to said support member and a second sleeve member telescopingly threadably joined with said first sleeve member, whereby rotation of said first sleeve member will cause said members to telescope and a continuously adjustable static flexion force may be applied to the phalange/metacarpal joint.   
     
     
       24. The device in claim 23 in which said rod assembly further includes a third sleeve member telescopingly threadably joined with said second sleeve member, whereby rotation of said first sleeve will cause said second and third sleeve members to telescope when said first and second sleeve members are fully telescoped and rotating together. 
     
     
       25. The device in claim 24 in which said rod assembly further includes a fourth sleeve member telescopingly threadably joined with said third sleeve member and including a hook portion on an end opposite the portion joined with said third sleeve member, whereby rotation of said first sleeve will cause said third and fourth sleeve members to telescope when said second and third sleeve members are fully telescoped and rotating together. 
     
     
       26. A passive flexion device adapted to be attached adjacent the palm of a hand by a strap extending around the hand for applying passive flexion to a finger on the hand, said device comprising: a base configured to substantially conform to the palm of the hand, said base including means defining a lateral passage through said base configured to receive a strap through said passage;   a support member extending from said base and attached thereto by attaching means;   a rod assembly having a first end attached to said support member and a second end adapted for attachment to the proximal phalanx;   said rod extending from said support member in a manner to produce a flexion force on the proximal phalange perpendicular the long-axis thereof;   said rod assembly continuously manually adjustable in length, whereby a continuously adjustable static flexion force may be applied to the phalange/metacarpal joint, said base including a bottom plate conforming to the palm of the hand and a second upper plate spaced from said first plate, said passage being defined between said plates; and   traction means for applying a traction force along the long-axis of the finger and pivot means for pivotally attaching said traction means to said second plate.   
     
     
       27. The device in claim 26 in which said traction means includes an elongated shaft extending from said base, and pulling means associated with an end of said shaft opposite said pivot means for applying a force parallel said shaft and away from said base. 
     
     
       28. The device in claim 27 in which said pulling means includes a pulley on said end of said shaft, a line extending over said pulley and tensioning means for attaching one end of said line selectively to a position along said shaft. 
     
     
       29. The device in claim 28 in which said line includes a tension spring portion.